Forêt de jacquiers, de papayers etc. à Tonga Tabou.
Inscription au revers : Polynesie. Scène de Pugilat (d’après les communication de Mr de Sainson).
Frise du bord (border) : papayer (papaya).
Signée au revers en ocre : Lebel.

After the engraving by Louis Auguste de Sainson from VOYAGE DE LA CORVETTE L’ASTROLABE EXÉCUTÉ PAR ORDRE DU ROI.
The island Tonga Tabou was visited by Jules-Sébastien-César Dumont d’Urville’s expedition aboard the Astrolabe in 1827. The visit faced a near disaster when the ship became imperiled on a reef upon arrival in the waters of Tongatapu on April 20, 1827. However, four days later, the ship was successfully moved off the reef, and the expedition continued its exploration of the region.

Louis Auguste de Sainson (1800 – 1887) was a French artist on the voyage of exploration on board the Astrolabe under the command of Dumont D’Urville which explored and visited the Pacific, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. He began his naval career at the port of Rochefort, working there from 21 August 1825 until 6 January 1826, where he joined the Astrolabe as a draughtsman. On his return to France de Sainson was part of the editorial group that made the official account Historical Atlas of the expedition ready or publication. In November 1829, at Dumont d’Urville’s request, de Sainson was promoted commis de marine 3e classe. He became a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneurin August 1831 and a commis de 2e classe in September 1833.